Can I apply to oxbridge uni with having my A levels done in different years?
Hi all. I am in year 10 now, and just took my A Level Maths and I am aiming to go to Cambridge or Oxford university. I hear that they don't accept applications of A Levels taken in different years, is this true?
Reply 1
You can apply, it’s up to them to accept you or not.
In general if candidates are taking A-levels over a period longer than 2-years or separately then there is an obvious performance advantage to this as you are not delivering a comparable workloads, particularly during exam windows.
If you want to do something inherently abnormal/unusual with your academic path then you are probably best off asking them specifically, only they can comment about how they would perceive this.
There is nothing stopping you learning the content ahead of time but not sitting the exams until you actually do the rest of your A-levels.
In general if candidates are taking A-levels over a period longer than 2-years or separately then there is an obvious performance advantage to this as you are not delivering a comparable workloads, particularly during exam windows.
If you want to do something inherently abnormal/unusual with your academic path then you are probably best off asking them specifically, only they can comment about how they would perceive this.
There is nothing stopping you learning the content ahead of time but not sitting the exams until you actually do the rest of your A-levels.
Original post
by Aaron balanHi all. I am in year 10 now, and just took my A Level Maths and I am aiming to go to Cambridge or Oxford university. I hear that they don't accept applications of A Levels taken in different years, is this true?
Generally they require three A-Levels taken in one year. The only regular exception is for when an applicant is sitting three A-Levels including Maths taken in Year 12, and Further Maths and one other subject taken in Year 13. Even in this case, it's common that they ask for A*A* in Year 13 and sufficient evidence that you could handle the workload. In your case, to be a competitive applicant, it is probably best that you sit for three further A-Levels in Year 13.
Reply 3
I took A Level Maths in Y11 and Further Maths in Y12 (was planning on Y10 and Y11 but had to wait for new spec to be released), and then did A Level Physics and Chemistry during sixth form. I'm a Cambridge Maths graduate.
So the answer is no. This is assuming you're applying for Maths. They only care about Maths skills, especially because you also do STEP 2/3 in sixth form (more workload than some A Levels). If you're applying for medicine etc, the answer obviously changes as they care about the workload of multiple A Levels at once to reflect that of uni.
So the answer is no. This is assuming you're applying for Maths. They only care about Maths skills, especially because you also do STEP 2/3 in sixth form (more workload than some A Levels). If you're applying for medicine etc, the answer obviously changes as they care about the workload of multiple A Levels at once to reflect that of uni.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 4
OMGGG RLLY !? IM PRETTY SURE IT DEPENDS BCS THEY NORMALLY SAY NO TO IF U RESIT UR A LEVELS OR SMTH OR DO THEM LATER THAN WHEN U JOIN 6TH FORM OR WTV, SO DOING IT EWRLY SHOULDNT BE A PROBLEM 💕BTW HAVE U GOT TIPS FOR GCSE MATHS THO PLS I ACC NEED A 8 OR 9 (IM GETTING 6/7 RN)😭🫶 xx
Reply 5
2
Original post
by I.F.L.YOMGGG RLLY !? IM PRETTY SURE IT DEPENDS BCS THEY NORMALLY SAY NO TO IF U RESIT UR A LEVELS OR SMTH OR DO THEM LATER THAN WHEN U JOIN 6TH FORM OR WTV, SO DOING IT EWRLY SHOULDNT BE A PROBLEM 💕BTW HAVE U GOT TIPS FOR GCSE MATHS THO PLS I ACC NEED A 8 OR 9 (IM GETTING 6/7 RN)😭🫶 xx
Sorry not the best person to ask as I haven't actually done the gcse yet, I don't even know how to do long division
Reply 6
2
Original post
by mnotYou can apply, it’s up to them to accept you or not.
In general if candidates are taking A-levels over a period longer than 2-years or separately then there is an obvious performance advantage to this as you are not delivering a comparable workloads, particularly during exam windows.
If you want to do something inherently abnormal/unusual with your academic path then you are probably best off asking them specifically, only they can comment about how they would perceive this.
There is nothing stopping you learning the content ahead of time but not sitting the exams until you actually do the rest of your A-levels.
In general if candidates are taking A-levels over a period longer than 2-years or separately then there is an obvious performance advantage to this as you are not delivering a comparable workloads, particularly during exam windows.
If you want to do something inherently abnormal/unusual with your academic path then you are probably best off asking them specifically, only they can comment about how they would perceive this.
There is nothing stopping you learning the content ahead of time but not sitting the exams until you actually do the rest of your A-levels.
If I were to still take 4 A levels during sixth form there is no downside right? I would just have 5 A levels under my belt, and still have had the same workload that these universities require.
Reply 7
21
Original post
by Aaron balanIf I were to still take 4 A levels during sixth form there is no downside right? I would just have 5 A levels under my belt, and still have had the same workload that these universities require.
You really need to email a Cambridge college or two and ask here. People assume taking A-Levels early is advantageous or makes you look good but it's risky if you don't achieve highly (you don't get leniency for taking it early or accelerated) and if you aren't then taking a suitable workload at the point you would be applying.
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